The remains of a rare small whale have been exhumed near Whitianga.
The 2.4-metre-long melon-headed whale, which stranded and died in January, has been dug up to be used for research at Te Papa in Wellington.
Researchers spent several hours excavating the remains of the whale on Monday, and its removal received the full blessing of the local hapu, Ngati Hei.
The whale is being transported to Wellington by truck and should arrive on Tuesday.
